Water softening apparatus



E. T. TURNER Aug, l, 1933, WATER SOFTENING APPARATUS Origlnal Filedv July 9, 1925 4 Sheets-Sheet Il vILll /N VEN TOF?. E. T TURNER ATTORNEY E. T. TURNER Aug. I, 1933. WATER SOFTENING APPARATUS Re. 18,909

Original Filed July 9. 1925 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 7' TOR/VE Y E. T. TURNER WATER SOFTENING APPARATUS I Aug. l, 1933.

Original Filed* July 9, 1925 4 Sheets-5heet ATTORNEY E. T. TURNER WATER SOFTENING APPARATUS Aug. 1, 1933.

voriginal Fi1ed`Ju1y 9, 1925 4 sheetssneet 4 INVENTO?. E E. T TURNER Reissued Aug. 1, 1933 WATER SOFTENING APPARATUS Edward T. Turner, Dayton, Ohio Original No". 1,763,727, dated June 17, 1930, Serial No. reissue June 15, 1933.

41 Claims.

This invention relates to water softening apparatus and more particularly to that type of water softening apparatus which employs as the water softening agent a material having the property of exchanging its normal base for the substances which harden the water. In a Water softening device of this character the Water softening material, which is usually -zeolite, glauconite or some similar mineral, gradually loses its softening properties as the exchange of bases progresses and it is necessary at intervals to recondition the material by subjecting it to the action of a regenerating solution, such as brine, which will displace the substances taken up thereby and restore its normal base. This reconditioning of the Water softening material not only interrupts the supply of soft water but it requires frequent attention on the part of the operator in order that the supply of soft Water may be maintained. One object of the present invention is to pro- I 4vide a water softening apparatusin which a continuous supply of soft Water may be maintained. A further object of the invention is to provide a water softening apparatus comprising a plurality of units which are reconditioned successively so that while a part of them are being reconditioned the other units are delivering soft water to the service line.

A further object ofthe invention is to provide such an apparatus in which the softening units will be stationary and the devices for delivering regenerating solution to the units and conveying the same therefrom will be moved into operative relation to the several units successively.

A further object of the invention is to provide an apparatus of this character which will maintain a reserve supply of soft water and the delivery of Water to be softened to the softening units will be controlled automatically according to the quantity of softened water on hand.

Other objects of the invention will appear as theapparatus is described in detail.

Inthe accompanying drawings Fig. 1 is a side elevation of a water softening apparatus embodying my' invention, partly broken away to show the interior parts in elevation; Fig. 2 is a verticall sectional view taken on the line 2 2 of Fig. l: Fig. 3 is a section taken on the line 3 3 of Fig. 2; Fig. 4 is asection taken on the line 4 4 50 of Fig. 2; Fig. 5 is a section taken on the line 5 5 of Fig. 2; Fig. 6 is a section taken on the line 6 6 of Fig. 2; Fig. 7 is a vertical sectional View of the device for delivering regenerating solution to the apparatus; and Fig. 8 is a. vertical sectional 'view of the valve actuating device.

42,453, July .9,

1925. Application for Serial No. 676,023

In these drawings I have illustrated one embodiment of my invention and have shown the apparatus as enclosed Within a casing 1 which may, if desired, be cylindrical in form. Mounted in the lower portion of this cylinder and, in the present instance, resting upon the bottm Wall 2 thereof, are a series of containers for water lsoftening material, which, as shown at 3, are

cylindrical in form, are closed at their lower ends and are open at their upper ends. Each container contains a quantity of Water softening material 4 which preferably rests upon a bed of gravel 5 arranged in the bottom of the container. Extending into each container is a supply pipe 6 for delivering hard Water thereto and, in the present instance, this Asupply pipe extends through the open upper end of the container to a point near the bottom thereof where the discharge` end of the pipe is surrounded by the gravel 5. The water discharged-from the pipe 6 passes upwardly through the Water softening material 4 and is discharged from the upper portion of the container. As here shown, I have mounted in the upper portion of each container an outlet trough or overflow receptacle 7, which may, if desired, be supported by the supply pipe 6, and has its upper edge spaced a short distance belowv the, upper end of the container so that as l the water rises in the container it will overow the outer Wall of the outlet trough and enter that trough, from which it will flow through an outlet .pipe 8 to the point of discharge, this pipe 8 extending through thel Wall ofthe container and into the vvoutlet trough. In the present device the several containers 3, each of which with its associated parts constitutes a Water softening unit, are arranged in annular formation about the wall of the cylindrical casing 1 and'the several Isupply or inlet pipes 6 project some distance above the upper ends of the containers and are connected with an annular supply device 9, here shown in the f orm of a trough, which is prefer-V ably divided into a. seriesof compartments 10, by vmeans of partitions l1, there being one such compartment for each supply pipe 6 and the several supply pipes communicating with the Arespective compartments through the bottom walls thereof. In the arrangement shown, the supply pipe is screwed into the bottom wall of the device 9 which constitutes a support therefor, the device 105 itself being mounted on brackets 12 rigidly secured to the casing 1. Water may be supplied to the several compartments 10 of the supply device 9 in any suitable manner but preferably a y distributor, such as a shallow vessel 13 is sup- 110 ported above the same on brackets 14 carried by the casing 1. This vessel is provided in its bottom wall with a series of discharge openings which terminate in nipples 15, these nipples being arranged in annular formation above the supply device 9 and being spaced apart so that one nipple or outlet will discharge into each compartment 10 of the supply device. Hard water may be delivered to the distributor vessel 13 from a suitable source of supply and this Water passes from the distributor or to the supply device 9, through the various compartments thereof to the Water softening units and is discharged in a softened condition from the water softening units through the pipes 8 into a soft water receptacle or tank 16, which is` here shown as arranged within the annular series of Water softening units and as of a height somewhat less than the height of those units so that the discharge pipes 8 of the several units project above and discharge into this tank. The tank is connected at its bottom with a service pipe 17. When the apparatus as a whole is mounted in an elevated position the soft water will flow through the service line and distributing system by gravity, or if it is not desired to mount the apparatus in anelevated position any suitable means of distributing the soft water may be employed.

In order to subject the several water softening units successively to the action of a regenerating solution I have provided means for successively delivering the regenerating solution, such as salt water, to the several compartments 10 of the annular supply device 9, the solution `being of such strength that when mixed with the water it will have the proper action upon the water' softening material. As here shown, the salt solution is delivered to the compartments of the device 9 by means vof a pipe 18 which extends from an annular trough or delivery device 19 and has its discharge end overhanging the annular device 9. The trough or delivery device 19 is rotatably mounted so that the pipe 18 will move slowly over the annular device 9 and will discharge the salt water successively into the several compartments thereof. The salt water which is discharged into the several compartments of the supply device 9 passes downwardly through the respective supply pipes 6 and thence upwardly through the Water softening material. 4. It is, of course, important that none of the regenerating solution should enter the soft water tank 16 and I have therefore provided a discharge trough 20 which is mounted for move- .ment into a position beneath the discharge pipes 8 of those water softening units which are undergoing the reconditioning process. This trough is provided in its bottom Wall with a discharge opening 2l which, in the present instance, discharges into an annular vessel or drain trough 22, arranged about the upper end of the soft Water tank 16, and, as here shown, having its inner edge turned inwardly and downwardly, as shown at 23, to provide means for supporting the trough on the tank 16. This drain trough communicates with a waste pipe 24 through which the salt solution is conducted to av suitable point of discharge. The discharge .trough 20 is rotated in timed relation to the salt solution pipe 18 and is maintained in such relation to that pipe that it will be in a position to receive the liquid discharged from each unit during the latter part of the period that the salt supply pipe 18 is delivering salt solution to the compartment 10 of the supply device which is connected with 39 on the shaft 26.

that particular unit and for such further period of time as may be required for the hard water to pass through the supply pipe 6 and container 3 and to wash therefrom the salt solution. As shown more particularly in Fig. 6 the discharge trough 20 is of such a length that it will be simultaneously in communication with the discharge pipes 8 of three water softening units. Theforward end of this discharge trough -is so arranged Withvrelation to the salt Isupply pipe 18 that it will be brought into communication with the discharge pipes 8 of a water softening unit just prior tothe time that the salt pipe 18 moves out of communication with the supply compartment 10 for that unit. 'Ihis` is for'the reason that it requires some time for the salt solution to pass from the supply compartment 10 through the pipe 6 and container 3 to the discharge pipes 8, and the soft water is permitted to flow into the tank 16 until the salt solution has substantially reached the discharge pipe 8. The relative positions of the discharge trough 20 and salt pipe 18 may, of course, be varied to insure the discharge of all saltsolution into the discharge trough. The length of the trough is such that the liquid from each softening unit will be delivered to the discharge trough for a period of time sufficient to enable the hard Water delivered to the unit to thorough- .ly wash the mineral and remove all salt solution therefrom.

The salt supply pipe 18 and the discharge trough 20 are moved in timed relation one to the other and in the present instances they arev rotatably mounted in fixed relation one to the other. To this end the trough 29 is carried by arms 25 which are rigidly secured to a vertical hollow shaft 26 which is rotatably Vmounted at its upper end in a bearing '2'T`carried by a base plate 28 which in turn is supported upon a transverse frame member 29 carried by the casing 1. The salt supply trough 19, which carries the pipe 18, is also rigidlysecured to this shaft so that the rotation of the shaft will cause the pipe and the trough to rotate slowly about the' series of Water softening units. The shaft 26 may be rotated in any suitable manner but I preferito utilize the hard Water which is delivered to the apparatus for this purpose. To this end the hard Water is introduced into the apparatus by means of a main supply pipe 30 which is controlled by a valve 31 and which discharges through a suitable casing 32 into the distributing vessel 13. Mounted in the casing 32 is a water motor, or Water wheel, 33 so arranged thatv the Water discharged from the pipe 30 will iml pinge against the blades thereof and cause the wheel to rotate. The wheel is mounted on a shaft 34 to which is secured a worm 35 which meshes with a worm wheel 36. The worm wheel 36 is mounted on a shaft 37 to-which is secured a second worm 38 which meshes with aworm wheel In this manner the speed of rotation of the water wheel is greatly reduced before the movement reaches the shaft 26 and this shaft is rotated very slowly.

The regenerating solution may be supplied to the delivery device 19 from any suitable source of supply and, in the present mechanism, I have provided at one side of the casing a salt tank 40 adapted to contain a relatively large quantity of salt and to which water is supplied for the purpose of creating the salt solution. The water is delivered to the salt tank by a supply pipe 4l which is connected with the main water of openings 45.

. 185909 supply pipe 30 in advance of the valve 31 and` discharges into the salt tank near the bottom thereof, so that the water vwill ow upwardly through the salt and prevent the same from packing. The salt solution pipe 42 leads from the upper portion of the salt tank 40 above the level of the salt therein to the delivery apparatus for regenerating solution. This pipe is preferably provided with a strainer 43. In order to maintain the level of the salt solution substantially constant at a point above\ kthe, pipe 42 I have arranged in the upper portion of the salt tank 40 a chamber 44 which is in open communication with the interior of the salt tank by means Mounted in this chamber is a oat 46 which is connected with a valve 47 in the water supply pipe 41 and which opens and closes this valve according'to the level of the water in the salt tank.

The flow of salt solution to the delivery device is controlled by a valve 48 and in order to maintain a substantially uniform flow of solution to the delivery device I have interposed between the pipe 42 and the delivery trough or device 19 for the salt solution a regulating device simi-f lar in character` to that shown and described in my co-pending application Serial No. 743,385, filed October 13, 1924. This device comprises a receptacle 49 having a. closure'50 whichy is secured thereto by a pin or rod 51 extending through the bottom wall thereof and threaded into the closure. Slidably mounted on this rod 51 is a float 52 which is preferably hinged to the casing and, in the present instance, is connected by means of a hinge 53 with the closure 50. This closure is provided with a. nipple 54 by means of which it may be connected with the pipe 42 and the nipple is provided with a valve seat which is adapted to be engaged by a needle valve 55 which is supported on a finger 56 carried by the float and so arranged that as the float moves downwardly the valve will be opened and when the float moves upwardly the valve -will be closed. The receptacle 49 has at its upper end and at one side thereof a laterally extending chamber 56EL having in its lower wall an opening 57 arranged to discharge into the annular trough 19. Inasmuch as the oat controlled valve 55 will maintain the solution in the receptacle at a substantially constant level the solution will flow through the outlet 57 to the annular receptacle 19 in substantially uniform quantities.

The controllng valve 31 for the main water supply pipe and the controlling valve 48 for the salt solution pipe 42 are automatically controlled according to the quantity of soft water contained in the soft water tank 16 and the controlling device is of sucha characterthat it will quickly open and close those valves at the proper times. The controlling device here shown is substantially similar to that shown and described in my copending application Serial No. 11,435, led February 25, 1925. Associated with each valve is a lever 58 pvotally supported between its ends upon a link 59 which is mounted at its lower end on a ixed support, and in the present instance on the valve casing. Each lever is connected at one end with the valve stem of the corresponding valve and is connected at its other end with a link 60, the upper ends of the two links being pivotally connected with across arm 61 mounted upon an actuating rod 62. This actuating rod l ported on a xed support, such as the transverse frame member 29. A lever ,65, preferably com prising parallel arms, is`pivotally mounted on a bracket 66 which, in the present instance, is caryried by the bearing 64, and this -lever is connected with the water in the tank 16, the plunger 63 H will be moved in the opposite direction. Preferably the lever 65 is weighted, as shown at 69, to hold the float normally in its lowermost position. Mounted on the plunger are two movable members, such as bell crank levers 70, these levers being arranged on opposite sides of the actuating rod 62 and each having its lower arm pivotally connected with the plunger and the outer arms of the two levers being connected one to the other by springs 71 which tend to move the angles of the two levers one toward the other. Mounted at the angles of the levers are projections or pins 72 which cooperate with cam plates 73 projecting from the opposite sides of the actuating rod 62. If desired, these cam plates may comprise the opposite edges of a diamond shaped plate mounted on the actuating rod 62 and having lateral apices arranged in transverse alinement. With the parts in the position shown in Fig. 8 the valves are in their open positions so that water is flowing through the water softening units to the soft water tank 16 and the oat 6B is .rising therein. The pins 72 of the bell crank levers 70 have reached a position close to the apices of the cam plates and a slight further downward movement of the plunger 63 will carry these pins across the apices of the cam plates and they-will then act upon the lower inclined surfaces of the cam plates and force the latter and the actuating rod 62 upwardly with relation to the plunger, thereby closing the valves in both the main water supply pipe and the regenerating solution pipe. As the water is drawn from the tank 16`and the float falls the plunger 63 will be moved upwardly until Vthe pins again pass the apices of the cam plates and act upon the upper inclined surfaces thereof to force the actuating rodl 62 downwardly and thereby open the valves. It will be noted that when the pins 72 are in engagement with the upper inclined edges of the cam plates they will support the plunger 63 in an elevated position to prevent the same from moving downwardly except as it is forced downwardly by the movement of the float.'

The operation of the mechanism as a whole will be readily understood from the foregoing description of the several parts thereof and it will be apparent that-when the supply ofk water in the soft water tank 16 has been lowered to a predetermined level the downward movement of the float 68 will serve to open the valves in the water supply pipe and the regenerating solution pipe. The hard water will be discharged through thecasing 32, the distributor 13 and the several compartments 10 of the supply trough device 9 to the water softening units and will be discharged from these units through the outlet pipes 8 thereof. At the same time the salt solution will pass through the pipe 42 and regulator 49 to the salt supply trough 19 and thence through the pipe 18 to one of the compartments 10 and from this compartment through the particular softening unit with which this compartment is connected.`

The water wheel 33 will be rotated by the hard water as it is discharged into the apparatus, thereby rotating the shaft 26 and carrying the delivery pipe 18 for the regenerating solution about vthe annular supply device 9, thus delivering salt solution successively to the several compartments and to the softening The rotation of the shaft 26 also carries the discharge trough 20 successively beneath .the several discharge pipes 8 so that those units which contain regenerating solution Will discharge into this trough and not into the soft water tank. The liquid flows from the discharge trough 20 through the annular trough 22 to the Waste pipe 24. In this manner"y the several units are successively reconditioned but the major portion of the units are always in`a condition to soften Water and a constant supply of soft Water is maintained. The action of the device is wholly automatic and requires no attention except the replenishing of the salt in the salt tank at the proper intervals and, as here shown, this salt tank is of such capacity that this need be-done only at long intervals.

While I have shown and described one embodiment of my invention I Wish it to be understood that I do not desire to be limited to the details thereof as various modifications may occur to a person skilled in the art.

Having now fully described my invention, what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent,

1. In a water softening mechanism, a plurality of stationary containers for water softening material, means for? delivering hard water to said containers, means for delivering regenerating so- -receive the regenerating solution as it is dis,- `charged from the outlets of the respectivecontainers.Y

3.- In a Water softening apparatus, a plurality vof stationary containers for water softening material each having an outlet, means 4for delivering hard Water to said containers, a receptacle to receive 'softened water from said containers, a delivery device for regenerating .solution movable into position to deliver regenerating solution successively to the several containers, and means for diverting the regenerating solution from said soft Water receptacle as it is dischargedfrom the outlets of said containers.

4. Ina water softening mechanism, a plurality of stationary containers for Water softening material each having an'outlet, means for delivering hard water to said containers, a delivery device for regenerating solution movable into positions to deliver regenerating solution successively to the several containers, and a troughl movable into a position to receive the regenerating solutionyas it is discharged from tlre outlets ofthe respective containers.

5. In a water softening mechanism, a plurality of stationary containers for water softening material, each having an outlet, means for delivering' discharged from the outlets of the respective containers, and means for moving said delivery device and saidtrough in fixed relation one to the other.

6. In a Water softening mechanism, a plurality of containers for Water softening material each having an outlet, stationary means for delivering hard Water to the respective containers, and a movable device for delivering regenerating solution successively to said containers.

7. In a Water softening mechanism, a plurality of containersfor water softening material, each having an outlet, stationary means for delivering hard water to the respective containers, a movable device for delivering regenerating solution to said containers, a movable discharge trough to receive the regenerating solution from said containers, and means for rotating said movable device and said movable trough inv fixed relation one to the other toV cause regenerating solution to be delivered successivelyto the several containers and to be discharged into said receptacle.

8. In a water softeningmechanism, a plurality ofY containers for water softening material, each having an outlet, stationary means for delivering hard water to the respective containers, amovable ldev ice for delivering regenerating solution to said containers, a movable discharge trough to receive the regenerating solution from said containers, and means actuated by the hard water delivered to said mechanism for actuating said movable delivery device and said movable trough. 9. In a Water softening mechanism, a plurality of containers for water softening material, each having an outlet, a supply device for water to be softened having separate compartments communicating with the respective containers, and means for delivering regenerating solution to said compartments. 1

10. In a-Water softening mechanism, a plurality of containers for water softening materiaL-each z having an outlet, an annular supply device for 'water to be softened having separate compartments communicating with the respective containers, and a delivery device for regenerating solution rotatably mounted for movement into communication with the several compartments successively. f r

1l. In a water softening' apparatus, a plurality of containers for water softening material, an outlet pipe leading from each of said containers, means for. delivering water to be softened and regenerating solution to said containers, and a discharge trough movable into positions to receive the liquid successively from the several con- 12. In a water softening apparatus, a plurality of containers for water softening material, means for delivering hard'water to said containers near the bottom thereof, an outlet trough mounted in each receptacle and spaced from the top thereof, outlet pipes leading from the respective outlet troughs, and a discharge trough arranged to be moved intol a position to receive the liquid discharged from any one of said outlet pipes.

13. In a water softening apparatus, a plurality of containers for water softening material, means for delivering hard water to said containers near the bottom thereof, an outlet trough mounted in each receptacle and spaced from the top thereof;YYY

outlet pipes leading from the respective outlet troughs, a discharge trough arranged to be moved into, a position to receive the liquid discharged from any one of said outlet pipes, a drain trough v arranged to receive the liquid from said discharge receptacle in all positions of the latter, and a waste pipe leading from said drain trough.

14. In a water softening mechanism, a plurality of containers for water softening material each having an outlet, an annular supply device for water to be softenedlcomprising a plurality of compartments communicating respectively with said containers, a vertical shaft arranged for rotation substantially centrally of said annular device, a delivery device carried by said shaft, a pipe connected with said device and having its discharge end arranged above said supply device,

and means for supplying regenerating solution to the last mentioned delivery device.

15. In a water softening mechanism, a plurality of containers for water softening material, each having an outlet pipe, an annular supply device for water to be softened comprising a plurality of compartments communicating respectively with said containers, a vertical shaft arranged for rotation substantially centrally of said annular device, a delivery device carried by said shaft, a pipe connected with said device and having its discharge end arranged above said supply device, means for supplying regenerating solution to said delivery device, and a discharge trough carried by said shaft and movable therewith into positionsI beneath the discharge ends of the respective outlet pipes for said containers.

16. In a water softening'mechan'ism, a plurality of containers for water softening material, each having an outlet pipe, an annular supply device for water to be softened comprising a plurality of compartments communicating respectively with said containers, a vertical shaft arranged for rotation substantially centrally of said annular device, a delivery device carried by said shaft, a pipe connected with said delivery device and having its discharge end arranged above said supply device,

means for supplying regenerating solution to said v delivery device, a discharge receptacle carried by said shaft and movable therewith into positions beneath the discharge ends of the respective outlet pipes for said containers, and means actuated by the Water to be softened for rotating said shaft\ 17. In a water softening mechanism, a plurality of containers for water softening material arranged substantially in a circle, a soft water receptacle arranged within said circle, each of said containers having an outlet pipe overhanging said soft water receptacle and, adapted to discharge into the same, means for delivering Water to be softened to the several containers, means/for delivering regenerating solution successively to said containers, and a movable discharge trough arranged to be interposed successively between the several outlet pipes and said soft Water receptacle.

18. In a water softening mechanism, a plurality of containers `for water softening material arranged substantially in a circle, a soft Water receptacle arranged within said circle, each of said containers having an outlet pipe overhanging said soft Water receptacle and adapted to discharge into the same, means for delivering water to be softened to the several containers, means for delivering regenerating solution successively to said containers, a movable discharge trough arranged to be interposed successively between the several outlet pipes and said soft water receptacle, annuf lar trough supported adjacent to said soft water receptacle and arranged to receive a liquid from said discharge trough, and a waste pipe leading from said annular trough.

19. In a Water softening mechanism, a plurality of containers for Water softening material each having an outlet, means for delivering water to beA softened to the several containers, a delivery delivery device for regenerating solution, a pipe leading from said delivery device and movable into positions to deliver regenerating solution successively to the several containers, and means for supplying regenerating solution to said delivery device in substantially uniform quantities.

20. In a water softening mechanism, a plurality of containers for Water softening material, inlet pipes for hard Water leading to each of said containers, an annular delivery device connected with the several inlet pipes and comprising a plurality of compartments each of which communicates with one of said inlet pipes, a distributor arranged above said annular device and adapted to discharge into theseveral compartments, and means for supplying water to be softened to said distributor.

21. In a water softening mechanism, a plurality of containers for Water softening material each having an outlet, a supply device for delivering hard water to said. containers, a receptacle to receive the soft water from said containers, a hollow shaft mounted for movement about a vertical axis, a device carried by said shaft for delivering regenerating solution successively to the several containers, a supply pipe for hard water connected with said supply device, a second pipe to supply regenerating solution to said delivery device, separate valves to control said pipes, means fori` actuating said valves, a float 'mounted in said soft water receptacle, a rod connected with said iloat and extending through said hollow shaft, and a lever connecting said rod-with sai valve actuating means.

22.y In a Water softening mechanism, a plurality of containers for water softening material, a device for supplying hard water to said containers, a tank to receive soft water from said container, a hard Water supply pipe connected with said `supply device, a valve in said pipe, an actuating device for said valve comprising a member operatively connected with said valve, a second member mounted for movement relatively to the first mentioned member, means connected With said second member to impart operative movement to the first mentioned member when said second member has been moved to a predetermined position with relation to the first mentioned member, and means controlled by the level of the water in said tank for actuating said second member 23.y In a Water softening mechanism, a plurality of containers for Water softening material, a device for supplying hard water to said containers, a tank to receive soft Water from said containers, a hardwater supply pipe connected Withsaid supply device,- a valve in said pipe, an actuating rod operatively connected with said valve, a plunger having movement-relatively to said actuating rod, means carried by said plunger for imparting movement to said rod when said plunger has been moved to a predetermined position, and means controlled by the level of water in said tank yfor actuating said plunger.

24. In a Water softening mechanism, a plurality of containers for Water softening material, a device for supplying hard Water to said containers, a tank to receive soft water from said containers, a

operatively connected with said valve, plates carried by said rod and projecting from the opposite sides thereof, the edges of each of said plates convergingV outwardly, a plunger mounted for reciprocatory movement with relation to said actuating rod, movable members carried` by said plunger and having parts vto engage the edges of the respective plates, aspring acting on said members to move them one` toward the other,

whereby when said members have been vmoved past the points of greatest width on the respective plates they will act on the inclined edges of 4said plate and impart movement to said actuating rod with relation to said plunger and means controlled by the level of the water in said tank for actuating said plunger.

25. In a Water softener mechanism, a plurality of containers for water softening material, a device for supplying hard water to said containers, a tank to receive soft water from said containers, a hard water supply pipe connected with said supply device, a valve in said pipe,'an actuating rod operatively connected with said valve, plates carried bysaid rod and projecting from the opposite sides thereof, the edges -of each of said plates converging outwardly, a plunger mounted for reciprocatory movement with relation to said actuating rod, movable` members carried by said plunger and having parts to engage the edges of the respective plates, a spring acting on said members to move them one toward the other, whereby when said members have been moved past the points of greatest width 'on the respective plates they will act on the inclined edges of said plate and impart movement to said actuat- 'ing rod with relation to said plunger, a lever operatively connected'with said plunger, and a float arranged in said tank and operatively connected with said lever,

2.6. In a water softening apparatus, a container for water softening material, the upper surface of said water softening 'material being spaced from the top of said container, means for introducing hard water into said container near the bottom thereof, a troughlike structure'arranged within said container above 'said water softening material to receive water from said container, and an outlet] conduit communicating with said trough-like 'structure below the upper. edge thereof and leading to the exterior of said container.

27. In a water softening apparatus, a container for water softening material, the upper surface of said water softening materialA being spaced from the top of said container, means for introducing hard water into said container near the `bottom thereof, and an outlet communicating with said container above said water softening material and through which'liquid is discharged by gravity, said outlet being so arranged that its pointof communication with said container will be below the normal level of the liquid in said container, and a discharge trough movable into and out of a position to receive liquid from said outlet.

28. In a'water softening apparatus, a container for water softening material, means for introducing hard water into said container near the bottom thereof, a trough-like structure arranged adjacent to said container, communicating therewith near the top thereof and having an outlet,

and a discharge trough movable into and outv of a position to receive liquid from said outlet.

29. In a water softening apparatus, a container for water softening material, means for introducing hard water or regenerating solution into said container near the bottom thereof, a troughlike structure arranged adjacent to said container, communicating therewith and having an outlet, a receptacle to receive softened water from said outlet, and a discharge trough movable into and out of a position to receiveregenerating solution from said outlet. I v

30. In a water softening apparatus, a container for water softening material, means for' introducing hard water or regenerating solution into said container near the bottom thereof, a troughlike structure arranged adjacent to said container, communicating therewith and having an outlet, a receptacle to receive softened water from said outlet, and means for diverting from said receptacle the regenerating vsolution which is discharged through said outlet. j

3l. In a water softening apparatus, a container for water softening material, means for introducing hard water or regenerating solution into said container near the bottom thereof, a troughlike structure arranged adjacent to said container, communicating therewith, and having an outlet, a receptacle to receive softened water from said outlet, a second receptacle, and means lfor` diverting the regenerating solution from said container to said second receptacle.

32.A In a water softening apparatus, a container for water softening material, a pipe leading to said container near the bottom thereof, a supply receptacle connected with said pipe, means for delivering hard `water to said supply receptacle, and means for mixing regenerating solution with the water in said supply receptacle at intervals.

33. In a water softening apparatus, a container for water vsoftening material, the upper surface of said water softening material being spaced from lthe top of said container, a pipe leading to said container` near vthe bottom thereof, a supply receptacle connected with said pipe, means for delivering hard water to said receptacle, .means for mixing regenerating solution with the water in said supply receptacle at intervals, and an outlet communicating with said container above said water softening material and through which liquid is discharged by gravity, said outlet being so arranged that its'point of communication with said container will be below, the normal level of theliquid in vsaid container.

34. In a water softening apparatus, a container for water softening material, means for introducing hard water into said container near the bottom thereof, a pipe leading to said container near the bottom thereof, a supply receptacle connected with said pipe, meansfor delivering hard water to said supply receptacle, means forA mixing regenerating solution with the water in said supply receptacle at intervals, to troughlike structure `arranged adjacent to said container, communicating therewith near the top` thereof and having an outlet, and adischarge trough movable into and out of a position to receive liquid from said outlet. 140

35. In a water softening apparatus, a -container for water softening material, the upper surface and through which liquid is discharged by grav` ity to said soft water receptacle, and means for diverting from said softening receptacle the regenerating solution which said container.

' 36. In a water softening apparatus adapted to maintain a continuous supply of softened Water,

is discharged from a containerfor a bed of water softening mateconduit, and means operated andvcontrolled by said motor for causing wash' water to be delivered by said delivery means to said container through said supply conduit for anl interval determined by the rate of continued operation of said motor during the delivery of .said Wash Water.

37. An automatic regenerative base exchange Water softener capable of valveless regeneration and comprising one or more containers for water softening material with connections adapted to pass liquids therethrough, means for delivering Water to the containers, means for delivering regenerating liquid' to the containers, receiving means for softened water, separate receiving means for regenerative liquid running from the' containers, mechanical means .for successively shiftingl the relative positions of the containers and the receiving means for .regenerative liquid and a motor operating said mechanical means and timing said shifting.

38. A regenerative base exchange water softening apparatus capable of valveless regeneration and adapted to soften Water continuously, said apparatus comprising' a vseries of containers for water softening material, means for delivering water to be softened and regenerating s olutionjzo said containers, said means being adapted to deliver water to all units of said series and to deliver regenerating solution successively to the several r units, and a motor adapted in-continuous operation to so control said delivery means as to cause each of said units in turn to receive regenerating solution for a period of time determined by the rate of motion of said motor.

39. A base exchange Water softening apparatus capable of valveless regeneration and comprising a container for water softening material, a supply pipe todeliver water and regenerating solution to said container, a service pipe to receive Water from said container, a drain pipe to receive re generating solution and Wash water from said container and means continuously moved at an adjusted fixed rate by flow of the water delivered to said container to cause water to'pass to said supply pipe and throughsaid container to said drain pipe for an interval determined by the adjusted fixed rate' of said Water flow and to then cause water to pass to said supply pipe and through said container to said serv-ice pipe.l r

40. A base exchange Water softening apparatus capable of valveless regeneration and comprising a container for water softening material provided with liquid inlet means and with an `outlet for liquids, a feeding device for supplying liquids to said inlet means, mechanical means for changing the relative positions of the container and the feeding device, said device beingadapted upon "changin'g, said relative positions to feed andto discontinue feeding regenerating solution to said inlet means, and a motor for operating said mechanical means. Y 4 41. In a base exchange Water softening "appa-V ratus capable of valveless regeneration and cornprising a container for water softening material provided with an inlet for liquids and with liquid outlet means, a trough for receiving liquid from said outlet means, mechanical means for changing the relative positions of said container and said trough, said trough being adapted upon changing s aid relative positions to receive andfto discon- 

